Rationality of Mixed Preparation of Traditional Herbal Decoction: from the Perspective of Danggui Buxue Tang

Authors discuss the rationality of preparing medicinal herbs together in a traditional manner, using Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) as an example, in an attempt to demonstrate the specific requirements for preparing the two herbs together to achieve the full chemical and biological activity. The mixed preparation enhances the solubility of chemicals, immune activity, blood effects, estrogenic activity, and osteoprotective effects. These effects are missing in the extracts derived from a single herb. Furthermore, the interactions between decoction components create a special activity especially appreciated in Chinese medicine.